ARK Signs MOUs with NUS and Giken Sakata (S) Limited

ARK Co., Ltd. (Head office: Hiratsuka, Kanagawa; Co-founder/Director/ CEO: Yosuke Kurihara; hereinafter “ARK”) signed separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in October 2026 with the National University of Singapore (hereinafter “NUS”) and Giken Sakata (S) Limited in the field of modular closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

Both MOUs were announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Japan–Singapore Agri-Food Innovation MOU Announcement Ceremony held in Singapore. The ceremony took place as part of the international event ASIA-PACIFIC AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026, as one of the initiatives commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore.

Under these MOUs, the parties will combine Japanese-developed modular RAS technology with Singapore’s research and innovation capabilities as well as its engineering and business infrastructure, working together toward joint research, demonstration, and commercial deployment of land-based aquaculture technology.

Background

Amid global population growth and changes in the marine environment, the stable and sustainable production of seafood has become a pressing challenge. In Singapore in particular, which relies on imports for much of its food supply, efforts are underway to promote sustainable food production using advanced technologies in order to strengthen food security.

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. At a summit meeting held on March 18 of that year, the leaders of both countries reaffirmed the importance of further deepening intergovernmental cooperation and building up concrete collaborative projects, and the two countries are strengthening their partnership in areas such as agri-food tech and food security.

Against the backdrop of this intergovernmental cooperation, the MOU announcement ceremony was held as an initiative to promote technical collaboration and business development between private companies and research institutions from both countries.

ARK is engaged in the development and deployment of modular closed-loop recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that can be expanded in stages according to business scale and production plans. Through the signing of these MOUs, ARK aims to combine its RAS technology and operational know-how with Singapore’s research and business infrastructure to establish a model for land-based aquaculture in Southeast Asia.

MOU Overview

MOU with the National University of Singapore (NUS)

Through the Institute for AgriFood Innovation and Ventures (IAFIV) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), ARK and NUS will establish a collaborative framework for joint research, technical validation, and talent development relating to recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technologies, rearing environments, productivity, and other areas. This collaboration will combine ARK’s RAS technology with NUS research and innovation capabilities to advance the development and validation of land-based aquaculture technologies tailored to local environmental and production conditions.

MOU with Giken Sakata (S) Limited

Leveraging ARK’s RAS technology and Giken Sakata’s engineering and business capabilities, the two companies will explore collaboration toward joint demonstration and commercial deployment of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in Southeast Asia.Through demonstrations of RAS technology in the Southeast Asian region, this collaboration will validate the optimization of production efficiency and aim to establish land-based aquaculture models suited to the business environment and market needs of each region.

Future Outlook

ARK has been developing technologies to democratize land-based aquaculture, with the aim of “creating systems and a culture that enable anyone, anywhere to practice land-based aquaculture.” Furthermore, to promote land-based aquaculture as a new means of seafood production, ARK believes it is essential to optimize its technologies and validate business models in line with the environment and needs of each region.

Through these two MOUs, ARK will advance the social implementation of land-based aquaculture technology in Southeast Asia on two fronts: joint research, technical validation, and talent development with a research institution, and joint demonstration and business development with a company.

Through these initiatives, ARK will promote the international expansion of Japanese-developed land-based aquaculture technology, and by making efficient use of limited natural resources, help expand stable seafood production in the region, thereby contributing to food security.

About the “Japan–Singapore Agri-Food Innovation MOU Announcement Ceremony”

Held as part of the initiatives commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore, the ceremony aimed to promote business development, investment, and the formation of technical cooperation networks among private companies, research institutions, and other organizations from both countries.

The ceremony was held as part of the program of the “ASIA-PACIFIC AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026,” an international event bringing together governments, investors, and companies. In the presence of government representatives from both countries, collaborative projects were announced across a wide range of fields, including land-based aquaculture, CO₂-derived protein, microbial fermentation technology, food loss reduction, and smart agriculture.

Event Overview

• Event name: Japan–Singapore Agri-Food Innovation MOU Announcement Ceremony
• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
• Venue: Singapore
• Related event: ASIA-PACIFIC AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION SUMMIT 2026
• Summit dates: Tuesday, October 27 – Thursday, October 29, 2026